CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Joseph, David |
|---|---|
| Title | Understanding the Economic Impact of the Mediterranean Migration in Italy: The Role of Integration and Inclusion Policies (2015-2023) |
| Summary | Migration has long played a central role in the host countries' social and economic structures. Over recent decades, Italy has experienced heavy migration currents from Sub-Saharan Africa, prompting heated political debates and restrictive policy responses. Despite widespread narratives that portray migrants as economic burdens, empirical evidence and lived experiences reveal a more complex reality. This thesis investigates the economic impact of migration on Italy between 2015 and 2023, with a particular focus on the role of integration and inclusion policies in shaping these outcomes. Integrating quantitative information with qualitative interviews among Sub-Saharan African migrants, this research examines how migrants are shaping the Italian economy through work, taxation, entrepreneurship, and social security contributions, as well as facing structural barriers in the form of exclusionary policies, exclusion from labour markets, and housing discrimination. The findings show that, despite facing significant obstacles, migrants contribute positively to Italy’s economy, generating a net fiscal benefit and addressing critical labor shortages. However, the missing disaggregated data on Sub-Saharan African migrants still hides their economic contribution. This thesis calls for more inclusive policies and targeted research to fully recognize and harness the economic potential of migrant communities, particularly those most marginalized. |
| Supervisor | Akbar, Yusaf |
| Department | Undergraduate Studies BA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/joseph_david.pdf |
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